On March 28th, Midwest Fight League was holding their 9th MMA show in Sedalia MO. titled, Battle of the Titans 2. The fight card had a total of 13 bouts, but perhaps the most exciting fight of the night was bout 12. The time had come to see who would be the first ever KICK International Bantamweight champion.

   Maurath who had been training to fight Jose Vega, possibly the best 135 lb. MMA fighter around, was disappointed to find out that his opponent had been changed a couple of days eariler. He would not be disappointed for long.

   The stage was set as both fighters entered the cage,

Chris Maurath in the blue corner,and Josh Phillips in the red corner. The fight was to be 3, 4 minute rounds, and they would need every second.

   The fight started with some good striking from Maurath, followed by some ground n' pound, that was pretty much the story of round 1. Rounds 2 and 3 were a little different, Maurath was still getting the best of the striking game, but most of these rounds were spent on the mat with Phillips trying one submission after another, and paying for it as Maurath would escape and go right back to the ground n' pound game. As round 4 began the fighters clinched and went down. Phillips caught Maurath in an armbar, but just could not finish it. The rest of the round was spent with Maurath on top throwing punches and thats how the fight would end, as time ran out. This one would go to the score cards.

     The judges came back with a Unanimous Decision declaring Chris Maurath; the first ever, KICK International

Bantamweight champion.

     This was the kind of fight that can do wonders for MMA in Missouri, we should all look forward to having more match ups like this in the future.